spring cleaning (soak your pumps)

[jhale]

I noticed things looking pretty calm on one side of my tank. Taking a closer look I saw the Tunze was not working.
It turned out the impeller had become calcified and could not turn anymore.
A days soaking in vinegar and it was good as new. It also cleaned up nice, it had become coraline encrusted. I know your supposed to do this more often, so if your like me just consider it a reminder :happysad:

 

[PalmTree]

Good call Matt. I try to do this once every six monthes or so. After I added the CA reactor I noticed that my pumps do get calcium deposits much more frequently.

 

[regal]

You can use diluted muriatic acid AKA hydrochloric acid. It takes a few minutes instead of hours. The more concentrated it is, the faster it will work. But make sure you put on gloves and use it in a well ventilated area. You can get it from lowe's or may be home depot.

 

[jhale]

Allan, it's me jon, not matt :lol:

Regal I'll stick with the vinegar, but thanks for the acid tip
is there a danger of that hurting the pumps, like if you walk away and forget what you were doing :happysad:

 

[LeslieS]

JH, I think was on the every 6 month list in the book club chapter 6

Nice pics btw!

 

[Harif87]

With HCl i would definately say that there is some danger factor. But you could dilute it so the effects of neglegence would be diluted too. Being that vinegar is just a dilute solution of acetic acid, i wonder if there are more potent vinegars out there.

 

[jhale]

hey leslie welcome back

I know it's on the list :theyareon

 

[fritz]

Just remember everyone, rubber and acids (even vinegar) don't get along. You'll make your rubber seals brittle and fail from exposure to acids.

Bigup!

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Mine are soaking right now..........................IN MY TANK :lol2:

 

[regal]

Is there a danger of that hurting the pumps, like if you walk away and forget what you were doing :happysad:

If the acid is too concentrated, it might be a problem for metal, not plastic (since the acid is stored in plastic container in the first place) but I'm not 100% sure. But any acid can cause damage to metals if you leave it in there long enough. But if you use slightly diluted muriatic acid, it literally takes only a few minutes (10-15min) and the calcium deposits will bubbles away in front of your eyes.

 

[regal]

Just remember everyone, rubber and acids (even vinegar) don't get along. You'll make your rubber seals brittle and fail from exposure to acids.

Bigup!

Thank you for the heads up.